Q: We have dogs and cats that shed 365 days a year. Do you have any fabric recommendations for a sofa, etc.?

A: We live with over 500 pounds of dog at home, so I understand where you are coming from. My upholstered seating, where the dogs tend to hang out least, is one of my fabrics called Brookwood Performance. It's chenillelike in feel and is meant to hold up to kids, dogs — and guests who like to drink wine! There are other performance fabric options, as well. Go to your closest Calico Corners for an array of options and see if any of them appeal to you. I think it's always nice to see something in person, if possible.

Q: It seems bolder colors including daring use of pattern is coming back in. Where do you find it most effective to use these?

A: Pattern and color are both great tools for making your home a physical manifestation of you, which should always be the objective. I love using color and layering pattern with fabrics in a space through upholstery, throw pillows, bedding and drapery.

When mixing multiple patterns in a space, make sure to employ a wide variety of scales: small, medium, large and extra large. Also, have a color thread of continuity so that there's a visual link between all of your patterns. Having these two rules in place will allow you to pick patterns that make your heart sing without worrying too much about whether their styles are too different.

+1

Vern Yip of “Trading Spaces” speaks during the TLC portion of the Discovery Communications Winter TCA Event 2018 at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for Discovery )

Amanda Edwards

Q:I hear that grays are no longer "on trend" or considered neutral. What is replacing them? My living room needs to be repainted, and I want a color that is classic yet fresh. Any suggestions?

A: Gray, especially warm gray, has been the go-to neutral for over a decade now. It can go with anything, which is why it's been so popular. If you like warm gray, you can freshen it with the colors you pair with it. Warm gray and deep gold is a great-looking current combo. If you want a new neutral, warm white has been really surging. Navy, although not really a neutral in my opinion, is considered a fresh color choice for walls too, especially when paired with emerald green.

Q: I'm moving from a 2,000-plus square-foot house into a 1,330-square-foot condo. The living and dining rooms have 18-foot floor-to-ceiling, north-facing glass windows. How can I decorate the condo to make it feel more like a house and home?

A: One of your most powerful tools is texture. Both physical and visual texture can really add dimension and make your place feel more homelike. The other thing is lighting. Too often people employ lighting with a color temperature that's too cool. Look for warmer colored LED bulbs that are dimmable. Use lamps and hang pendant fixtures at a human scale. The fixture over your dining room table, for example, should be at 66 inches from floor to its underside (as long as your dining room table is standard height, which is about 30 inches tall) no matter how tall your ceilings are. Floor-to-ceiling drapery, for that 18-foot floor-to-ceiling window, will also help, as will appropriately-sized rugs. (Tip: rugs should reach within 12 to 18 inches of the wall.)

Q: We have a large, linen-upholstered arm sofa. It is perfect except that the seat cushions collapse in the face of multi-hour gaming sessions. They are currently feather-wrapped foam. Is there an alternative that can stand up to this abuse?

A: Sofa cushions take so much abuse from all of us! The firmest cushion would be a high-density foam. On its own, it will feel pretty firm, so most folks prefer the feel of high density foam wrapped with down. Even if you have high-density foam, though, the foam will eventually break down and you will eventually have to replace it. Also, ensure that your sofa has a spring bed. Eight-way hand tied is the gold standard and will help with the support.